Africa-Press – Angola. The continued commitment to actions aimed at creating structural changes that promote significant progress for women in conflict and post-conflict environments was defended yesterday in Luanda by the Minister of Social Action, Family and Promotion of Women.Ana Paula do Sacramento Neto made this statement at the opening of the 9th Ordinary Session of the Ministers of Gender of the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), which took place under the theme “A Great Lakes Region with women and children at its centre and where human dignity, peace and cooperation prevail”.
The minister highlighted that the meeting will provide a space for exchanging ideas and good practices, promoting the Women, Peace and Security agenda and strengthening female voices in the region.
Ana Paula do Sacramento Neto stressed that African countries have demonstrated political will to invest in democracy, good governance and the promotion of a rule of law that incorporates gender equality into regional and global strategies.
The minister also highlighted the fundamental role of women in preventing and resolving conflicts, as well as in promoting human rights in conflict situations.
However, the minister acknowledged that there are still major challenges in several areas to meet the 2030 sustainable development goals and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
Ana Paula do Sacramento Neto reinforced the importance of actions focused on structural changes to ensure concrete progress for women in conflict and post-conflict scenarios.
At the meeting, Ana Paula Neto highlighted that it is an important mechanism for monitoring the progress of Member States in promoting female representation in the main decision-making bodies and in strengthening women’s involvement in peace processes and conflict resolution.
The minister drew attention to the severity of violence against women and children in the region, emphasizing that women are the main victims of armed conflicts, especially in the areas of North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri, in the DRC.
UN and ICGLR together in the fight against violence
The UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region, Huang Xia, revealed that the UN has been making intensive efforts to combat violence against women, based on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.
According to the official, an action plan is underway to promote women’s development and strengthen regional strategic plans.
The Executive Secretary of ICGLR, Yasir Mohammed, highlighted the need for firm decisions to advance the agenda of security and protection of children in conflict zones.
Yasir Mohammed stressed that the ICGLR, in collaboration with other entities, is committed to finding concrete solutions to the problems affecting women and children in the Great Lakes region.
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